{{Short description|Bridge in Norwich, England}} {{Use British English|date=September 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox bridge | name = St Miles Bridge | image = -2018-07-06 Saint Miles Bridge, Coslany Street, Norwich, Norfolk.jpg | caption = St Miles Bridge in 2018 | coordinates = {{coord|52.63175|N|1.29075|E|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | os_grid_reference = TG 22789 08861 | carries = Coslany Street | crosses = River Wensum | location = Norwich, England | upstream = New Mills | downstream = Duke's Palace Bridge | material = Cast iron and stone | designer = James Frost | built = 1804 | references = <ref name="historicengland" /> | embedded = {{Designation list |embed=yes |designation1=Grade II Listed Building |designation1_date=5 June 1972| designation1_number =1051286}} }} '''St Miles Bridge''', also known as '''Coslany Bridge''',<ref name="pevsner">{{Cite book |last=Pevsner |first=Nikolaus |title=Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East |last2=Wilson |first2=Bill |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2002 |isbn=9780300096071 |pages=279}}</ref> is a grade II listed cast iron bridge with stone abutments over the River Wensum in Norwich, England, carrying Coslany Street.<ref name="historicengland">{{Cite web |title=ST MILES BRIDGE, Non Civil Parish - 1051286 |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1051286 |access-date=2025-09-27 |website=Historic England |language=en}}</ref> It is the earliest iron bridge in Norwich,<ref name="pevsner" /> and is thought to be the oldest bridge of its type in East Anglia.<ref name="labrum">{{Cite book |title=Civil Engineering Heritage: Eastern and Central England |publisher=T. Telford |year=1994 |isbn=9780727719706 |editor-last=Labrum |editor-first=E. A. |location=London |pages=118–9 |language=en}}</ref>
== History == This bridge is depicted on William Cuningham's map of Norwich drawn up in 1558.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Norwich since 1550 |date=2004 |publisher=Hambledon & London |isbn=978-1-85285-450-8 |editor-last=Rawcliffe |editor-first=Carole |location=London; New York |page=6 |editor-last2=Wilson |editor-first2=Richard |editor-last3=Clark |editor-first3=Christine}}</ref>
In 1804, the bridge was designed by James Frost, of St Faith's Lane, at a cost of £1,100.<ref name="labrum" /> It was some of Frost's early work.<ref>{{Cite book |title=A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: 1500–1830 |date= |publisher=Thomas Telford |year=2002 |isbn= |editor-last=Skempton |editor-first=Alec |location=}}</ref> In the ''Norwich Mercury'', the novel principles of the bridge's construction were praised.<ref name="pevsner" /> It carried the traffic of the adjacent brewery, which is now defunct, as well as traders on Coslany Street.<ref name="labrum" />
In 1912, the bridge survived a large flood in Norwich which reached the bridge's parapets. It was later restored, and paved in brick. Since, the area has largely become residential, with the bridge's use being restricted to pedestrians and cyclists.<ref name="labrum" />
== Architecture == The bridge made up of a single cast iron span of {{cvt|36|ft|2|in|0}}, supported by four cast iron ribs that split up 5 bolted sections with solid spandrels.<ref name="labrum" /> It has simple parapet rails and panelled sides, with stone abutments.<ref name="historicengland" /> The centre panel on the outer face of both parapets features the city arms on embossed plaques, with the date 1804 cast marked at the centre of the arch. The west parapet has a projecting spout for hoses.<ref name="labrum" />
== See also == * St Crispin's Bridge, another iron bridge in Norwich
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Commons|position=left}}
Category:Bridges of Norwich Category:Bridges completed in 1804 Category:Grade II listed bridges in England Category:Cast-iron arch bridges in England